Windermere Blog

Downsizing is on the minds of many homeowners today. Some are ready to retire. Others want to live more simply. Many want to save money and say goodbye to home maintenance. If you can relate to any of those sentiments, ask yourself these five questions:

White-on-white kitchens have been a classic look for many years. Why does this trend endure? For starters, white connotes cleanliness, makes small spaces appear larger, and brightens rooms that are naturally dark.

As sophisticated as homes are today, experts predict they’ll be far more so in the not-too-distant future— especially when it comes to their use of technology. Included are seven evolutionary trends that many expect to define the home of the future.

You probably don’t give much thought to your garbage cans, other than remembering to put them out on the right day. But we all have to store our trash and recycling bins somewhere, and doing so can be a challenge on a smaller property, especially if you don’t want them to be an eyesore. If you’re struggling to find a stylish way to store your bins, check out these smart and inspiring ideas. Now, is it black or green bin day this week?

Idaho has added 16,800 new jobs over the past 12 months, representing an above average growth rate of 2.4%. The Education & Health Services sector showed the largest annual job growth, up 4.8%. There were also strong employment gains in Construction, Government Services, Leisure & Hospitality, and Manufacturing.

Though Washington State’s economy has been expanding at a rapid pace, we are seeing a slowdown as the state gets closer to full employment. Given the strong economy, I expect income growth to move markedly higher in the second half of the year. I also expect the state to add around 70,000 jobs by the end of 2017.

Oregon has added 46,500 new jobs over the past 12 months with impressive gains seen in the professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and trade sectors. Also of interest is that the construction sector continues to expand rapidly, potentially signifying greater interest in adding to the region’s housing supply. Year-over-year, employment in Oregon has risen by 2.5%. In May, the state unemployment rate fell slightly to 3.6%. Unemployment was 3.7% in April of this year and 5% in May of 2016. As unemployment edged down, the labor force hit a record high. In May, Oregon’s labor force rose above 2.1 million for the first time and grew by 40,000 in the first five months of this year.

Washington State’s economy has been expanding at a rapid pace, but we are seeing a slowdown as the state grows closer to full employment. Given the solid growth, I expect income growth to move markedly higher, though this has yet to materialize. I anticipate that we will see faster income growth in the second half of the year and still believe that the state will add around 70,000 jobs in 2017. Like much of the rest of the state, Eastern Washington continues to experience modest employment growth, which is driving the unemployment rate lower. I also expect to see continued growth in employment as we move through the balance of the year.

Here's an architecture book for our times, when some homeowners are under water on mortgages, and the cycle of trading up has either stopped or slowed way, way down. In "Staying Put," architect and writer Duo Dickinson has assembled a terrific and practical guide to help us make real improvements to our homes. Dickinson, an advocate of well-designed and affordable homes for all, has specialized in residential design for more than three decades.

Colorado added 62,000 new jobs over the past 12 months, an increase of 2.4% over this time last year. All of the metropolitan markets included in this report saw annual employment growth, with substantial growth in Boulder (4.7%) and Fort Collins (+4.1%), and more modest growth in Grand Junction (0.3%). In May, the unemployment rate in the state was 2.3%, matching the prior month and down 3.4% from a year ago. The lowest unemployment rate was in Fort Collins at just 2.0%. The highest rate was in Grand Junction, though it was still a relatively low 3.3%. It is reasonable to expect these markets will see above-average wage growth given the tight labor market.